Process for the utilization of marine algae for the manufacture of acetic and butyric acids



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIEN' DUPONT, 0F VINGENNES, FRANCE, AS SIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND SOCIETE DARRASSE FREE/ES, 0F PARIS, FRANCE.

I PROCESS FOR THE UTILIZATlON 0F MARINE ALGE FORTHE MANUFAGTURE OF AGETIC- AN D BUTYRIC No Drawing.

To all'whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, LUo1EN'DuPONT,a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Vincennes, Seine, France, have invented Processes for the Utilization of Marine I Algae for the Manufacture of Acetic and Butyric Acids.

This invention relates to a process of.

and selected cultures, or bacteria found on the algae themselves, or cultures obtained from media already in fermentation and fed by algae, it is possible, by worklng 1n temperature conditions suitable for the proliferation of bacteria, that is to say between 30 and 55, tobring about formation of organic'acids at the expense of the hydrocarbon matter of the algae.-

It is absolutely essential to neutralize the acidity produced in order toenable fer mentation to continue. When the fermentation is at an end, there will be found a solution of alkaline salts or of salts of alkaline earths or metals, according to the nature of the base which has beenused for neutralization and which may be for instance oxids, hydrates, carbonates or any other desired basic salts of an alkaline metal, of an alkaline earth or even of metals such as zinc and the metals of the zinc and iron group.

'The presence and the pro rtions of the formic acetic, butyrzic aci obtained in the above manner, vary accordin kinds of microbes utilized, to the egree of acidity or of alkalinity maintained during the fermentation, and to the alkali used for neutralization.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

characterized by neutra to the ACIDS.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

, Application filed March 6, 1919. Serial No. 280,946.

The solution of the alkaline salts also contains the mineral salts that were contained in the algae, more particularly the salts of iodin and potash which are very valuable.

Chemical methods make it possible to separate all these substances from each other, to bring them to a pure state suitable for commerce.

EwmmpZa-Take-IOOO kilograms of fresh algae, sow at 35 with fertilized earth fertilized withsea-wreck, stir during the fervmentation and maintain slightly alkaline reaction of the medium by addition of sodium carbonate. When the fermentation is at an end, separate the saline liquor from the cellulosic waste which can be utilized elsewhere; acidify by means of a stron acid such as sulfuric or hydrochloric aci distil the organic acids. Treat the saline residue so as ;to obtain potash and iodin salts. Separate the organic acids. In this way will be obtained 80 kg. of acetic acid and 40 kg. of butyric acid, 1.5 :kg. of iodin and the corresponding potash salts.

Claims: i 1. A process-for. utilizing organic matter contained in, marine algae, whichv comprises subjecting algae to aceto-butyric fermentation, anddistilling oif the acetic and butyric acids formed. I 2. A process according izing the acidity of fermenting mass during fermentation, and

acidifying after the completion of the fer-' mentation to convert the acetic and salts to the respective acids.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

butyric LUCIEN DUPONT.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. SIMoNs, RENE BARDY.

to claim 1 further 

